Athletic Director Finds Her Field Is Rewarding

May 24, 1996|By EILEEN SOLER and Special to the Sun-Sentinel

Geraldine "Gerrie" Farias has become a legend in her own time. After 26 years of continuous service as athletic director at St. Bernadette Catholic School, Farias recently had a ballfield named for her.

"I'm so glad this is happening now and not after I'm dead," she said, laughing.

"It's so unreal, but I'm totally honored and thrilled to be alive to see it," Farias added between tears of joy at a dedication ceremony May 17 behind the school at the newly named Farias Field.

According to St. Bernadette Principal Lynn VanderWyde, the decision to name the softball field after Farias was not made just because of the length of time Farias has been at the school but for Farias' many contributions.

"It's easy to figure," said the principal of the school in Davie. "We can attribute our entire athletic program for the past 26 years to Gerrie. She structured our PE program and organizes six competitive sports programs. She attends 95 percent of all the games, coaches the cheerleaders and the children just love her, I mean really love her."

During the ceremony, the student body, faculty and staff surrounded the baseball diamond to present Farias with songs, flowers, poster-sized cards and plenty of kisses and hugs.

VanderWyde said Farias exudes a spirituality that children find easy to comprehend, accept and enjoy.

"The field doesn't have to be dedicated in memory when we can celebrate her now. She deserves to see this," VanderWyde said.

Farias, of unincorporated Broward County near Cooper City, came to St. Bernadette's in 1970 after spending 19 years in show business.

"It's funny," she said. "I went to college to be a teacher but spent four years as a ballet dancer and then 15 years as an acrobat traveling Europe with the Boston Globetrotters. I feel like I've had the best life," she said.

The grandmother of seven, whose life has spanned three separate careers, said the physical nature of her job, her connection with children, and her strong faith in God have supported her youthful vitality and spirit.